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Златни прилепи и розови гълъби
Златните прилепи живеят на изолирания в океана остров Родригес. При това са на изчезване. На съседния остров Мавриций пък, гнездят последните двойки розови гълъби. Един човек идва, за да им помогне да оцелеят. Това е писателят-шегобиец Джералд Даръл. Както обикновено мисията му е съпроводена с куп невероятно смешни премеждия.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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596 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Durrell
227 books1,711 followersGerald "Gerry" Malcolm Durrell was born in India in 1925. His elder siblings are Lawrence Durrell, Leslie Durrell, and Margaret Durrell. His family settled on Corfu when Gerald was a boy and he spent his time studying its wildlife. He relates these experiences in the trilogy beginning with My Family And Other Animals, and continuing with Birds, Beasts, And Relatives and The Garden Of The Gods. In his books he writes with wry humour and great perception about both the humans and the animals he meets.
On leaving Corfu he returned to England to work on the staff of Whipsnade Park as a student keeper. His adventures there are told with characteristic energy in Beasts In My Belfry. A few years later, Gerald began organising his own animal-collecting expeditions. The first, to the Cameroons, was followed by expeditions to Paraguay, Argentina and Sierra Leone. He recounts these experiences in a number of books, including The Drunken Forest. Gerald also visited many countries while shooting various television series, including An Amateur Naturalist. In 1958 Gerald Durrell realised a lifelong dream when he set up the Jersey Zoological Park, followed a few years later by the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust.
Gerald was married twice; Jacquie Durrell (1951-1979), Lee Durrell (1979-1995).
Gerald Durrell's style is exuberant, passionate and acutely observed. He died in 1995.
On leaving Corfu he returned to England to work on the staff of Whipsnade Park as a student keeper. His adventures there are told with characteristic energy in Beasts In My Belfry. A few years later, Gerald began organising his own animal-collecting expeditions. The first, to the Cameroons, was followed by expeditions to Paraguay, Argentina and Sierra Leone. He recounts these experiences in a number of books, including The Drunken Forest. Gerald also visited many countries while shooting various television series, including An Amateur Naturalist. In 1958 Gerald Durrell realised a lifelong dream when he set up the Jersey Zoological Park, followed a few years later by the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust.
Gerald was married twice; Jacquie Durrell (1951-1979), Lee Durrell (1979-1995).
Gerald Durrell's style is exuberant, passionate and acutely observed. He died in 1995.
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February 9, 2018
Знаехте ли, че съществува риба кутия (потърсих я, наистина е правоъгълна и прилича на кутия)? А риба хирург? А риба, наречена „копнееща катерица“ (тук не съм много убедена дали на български е така, на английски е
wistful squirrel
, ама все си е риба катерица)?
Сблъсках се за пръв път Джералд Даръл под формата на трилогията за детството му на остров Корфу. „Сблъсък“ е точната дума, защото ме събори и си открадна част от сърцето ми, което се беше разпиляло по пода при удара. Плениха ме спокойствието, което книгите му носят, обляната в топлина ленива Гърция, пълна с безброй приключения. И, разбира се, безкрайната любов към животинките. Ама всякакви.
Тук Даръл вече е пораснал и е утвърден „писател/зоолог“, както пише в паспорта му. Мястото на действието е остров Мавриций, спътници са му няколко верни фаунолюбиви другари, а целта е улавянето на животински видове, застрашени от изчезване, за да бъдат размножени в изкуствени условия и отново пуснати на свобода. Книжката е посипана с прелестния хумор на „мистър Джери“, който като че ли за всяка вълнà, клонка и буца пръст има някакво ужасно поетично и оригинално сравнение (трябва да седна и някой ден да си направя тетрадка с цитати, както много по-умни от мен хора, но къде ти време и да четеш, че и да преписваш цитати). Докато прелиствам, си представям как изглежда тоя животински свят през очите на Джери, през очите на човек, влюбен в него – как всяка птичка и риба за него имат душевност и емоция и той ги описва като че ли са хора със собствен нрав. Бих казала, че в някаква степен хуморът на Даръл ми прилича на този на любимия Тери Пратчет – дали защото има сходства, дали защото и двамата са англичани (това обяснява доста), дали защото нямам кой знае колко обхватни литературни познания и просто няма на кого друг да ми напомня.
Та така... препоръчвам ви да пообиколите Мавриций и съседните по-малки острови с Джералд Даръл, да си наловите прилепи и гълъби, палатката ви да бъде нападната от малки буревестници през нощта, да наблюдавате „веселия, бликащ от енергия и пълен с приключения живот на морски охлюв, състоящ се от засмукване на вода от единия край и изхвърляне от другия, полюшван през цялото време от прилива и отлива“, да научите как мирише джакфрутът (и да прецените дали ви изкушава да го опитате), да си поплувате из кораловите рифове... и да се върнете да разкажете и вие за тях.
Сблъсках се за пръв път Джералд Даръл под формата на трилогията за детството му на остров Корфу. „Сблъсък“ е точната дума, защото ме събори и си открадна част от сърцето ми, което се беше разпиляло по пода при удара. Плениха ме спокойствието, което книгите му носят, обляната в топлина ленива Гърция, пълна с безброй приключения. И, разбира се, безкрайната любов към животинките. Ама всякакви.
Тук Даръл вече е пораснал и е утвърден „писател/зоолог“, както пише в паспорта му. Мястото на действието е остров Мавриций, спътници са му няколко верни фаунолюбиви другари, а целта е улавянето на животински видове, застрашени от изчезване, за да бъдат размножени в изкуствени условия и отново пуснати на свобода. Книжката е посипана с прелестния хумор на „мистър Джери“, който като че ли за всяка вълнà, клонка и буца пръст има някакво ужасно поетично и оригинално сравнение (трябва да седна и някой ден да си направя тетрадка с цитати, както много по-умни от мен хора, но къде ти време и да четеш, че и да преписваш цитати). Докато прелиствам, си представям как изглежда тоя животински свят през очите на Джери, през очите на човек, влюбен в него – как всяка птичка и риба за него имат душевност и емоция и той ги описва като че ли са хора със собствен нрав. Бих казала, че в някаква степен хуморът на Даръл ми прилича на този на любимия Тери Пратчет – дали защото има сходства, дали защото и двамата са англичани (това обяснява доста), дали защото нямам кой знае колко обхватни литературни познания и просто няма на кого друг да ми напомня.
Та така... препоръчвам ви да пообиколите Мавриций и съседните по-малки острови с Джералд Даръл, да си наловите прилепи и гълъби, палатката ви да бъде нападната от малки буревестници през нощта, да наблюдавате „веселия, бликащ от енергия и пълен с приключения живот на морски охлюв, състоящ се от засмукване на вода от единия край и изхвърляне от другия, полюшван през цялото време от прилива и отлива“, да научите как мирише джакфрутът (и да прецените дали ви изкушава да го опитате), да си поплувате из кораловите рифове... и да се върнете да разкажете и вие за тях.
October 31, 2025
Кратка книжка за две посещения на Мавриций и съседни нему острови, имащи за цел да се спасят уникални животински видове, силно застрашени от изчезване.
Харесаха ми историите на Даръл и се надявам, животинките описани да са успели да оцелеят и до наши дни. Рисунките към текста на художника Едуард Мортелманс намирам за много сполучливи.
Моята оценка - 3,5*.
Харесаха ми историите на Даръл и се надявам, животинките описани да са успели да оцелеят и до наши дни. Рисунките към текста на художника Едуард Мортелманс намирам за много сполучливи.
Моята оценка - 3,5*.
January 22, 2014
One of my favorite parts of reading Gerald Durrell is looking up all the species he mentions to see how endangered they currently are. The exciting bit is that most of them are still around (for now), thanks to the work Durrell and the Jersey Zoo have done on their behalf. It's only a small drop of optimism, but it's still a heady one. I really enjoyed this particular adventure.
February 10, 2010
I really enjoyed this book which is the account of trips Gerald Durrell made in the 1970's to collect endangered species of Mauritius and some nearby islands to begin a captive breeding and preservation program at his zoo in Jersey. They style is typical Durrell with plenty of laughs and descriptions of the islands such that I want to pack my bags now. My only regret is that the book is relatively short at under 200 pages. However, my edition (British 2008) does have brief updates on the current status of the animals which was a really nice addition. Sadly, the book seems to be somewhat out of print in the US except for the Kindle edition, but there seems to have been a full reprinting of many of Durrell's books in the UK recently.
August 14, 2025
Me ha dado lo que yo quería: viajes, anécdotas, animales y el mar.
April 3, 2017
Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons: A Journey to the Flora and Fauna of a Unique Island is the entertaining story of Gerald Durrell's experience on Mauritius in the Indian Ocean where he collected rare specimens for his animal sanctuary. The Dodo had already vanished from the island and by the 1970s many more species were going the way of the Dodo.
Durrell's tales are entertaining and funny. His description of the Jak fruit as "an obscene green fruit, covered with knobs and looking rather like the corpse of a Martian baby" sent me into hysterics. My husband and I had just seen one at Kroger two days before. The Jak was meant to lure the Golden Bats and had a pungent smell "vaguely reminiscent of a putrefying body." And the produce man told us it was like "Juicy Fruit" gum! Glad we were not tempted.
After several delays, which involved the party's eating the bat fruit before it spoiled and buying more, the team finally landed on Rodriguez island. That evening the mosquitoes attacked. "I'm rather glad we came really, I would hate to think of all these mosquitoes going hungry," remarked one of the party. "Yes it's a form of conservation, really." Durrell replied.
The party must contend with other invasions as well, by giant land snails that invaded their tent and ate their food and baby Shearwaters that invade their bed.
The descriptions of Mauritius's flora, fauna, and coral reefs are vivid and gorgeous. My favorite was the chapter on the coral reefs, The Enchanted World. His writing is evocative and lovely as he describes experiencing the overwhelming life and color of the reef. You understand his enchantment.
As I read this chapter I experienced a tightness in the pit of my stomach, fearful that these teeming reefs are dying like reefs all over the world. I checked it out. The reef is suffering from higher temperature water due to El Nino events, and is also impacted by a billion tourists a year and the agricultural runoff from the island.
Mother Earth is losing her children from human impact and climate change. Durrell strove to save species from extinction. I am glad to have read his memoir and learned about his work.
I thank the publisher for the free ebook through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Read about Durrell's Zoo on Jersey
https://www.durrell.org/wildlife/visit/
Mauritan Wildlife Foundation to see the flora and fauna discussed in the book
http://www.mauritian-wildlife.org/app...
News report on the coral reef
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrJUU...
Durrell's tales are entertaining and funny. His description of the Jak fruit as "an obscene green fruit, covered with knobs and looking rather like the corpse of a Martian baby" sent me into hysterics. My husband and I had just seen one at Kroger two days before. The Jak was meant to lure the Golden Bats and had a pungent smell "vaguely reminiscent of a putrefying body." And the produce man told us it was like "Juicy Fruit" gum! Glad we were not tempted.
After several delays, which involved the party's eating the bat fruit before it spoiled and buying more, the team finally landed on Rodriguez island. That evening the mosquitoes attacked. "I'm rather glad we came really, I would hate to think of all these mosquitoes going hungry," remarked one of the party. "Yes it's a form of conservation, really." Durrell replied.
The party must contend with other invasions as well, by giant land snails that invaded their tent and ate their food and baby Shearwaters that invade their bed.
The descriptions of Mauritius's flora, fauna, and coral reefs are vivid and gorgeous. My favorite was the chapter on the coral reefs, The Enchanted World. His writing is evocative and lovely as he describes experiencing the overwhelming life and color of the reef. You understand his enchantment.
As I read this chapter I experienced a tightness in the pit of my stomach, fearful that these teeming reefs are dying like reefs all over the world. I checked it out. The reef is suffering from higher temperature water due to El Nino events, and is also impacted by a billion tourists a year and the agricultural runoff from the island.
Mother Earth is losing her children from human impact and climate change. Durrell strove to save species from extinction. I am glad to have read his memoir and learned about his work.
I thank the publisher for the free ebook through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Read about Durrell's Zoo on Jersey
https://www.durrell.org/wildlife/visit/
Mauritan Wildlife Foundation to see the flora and fauna discussed in the book
http://www.mauritian-wildlife.org/app...
News report on the coral reef
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrJUU...
August 15, 2019
Un libro de viajes encantador que hará las delicias de cualquiera que le gusten los animales y los lugares exóticos que, sin embargo, sabe a poco.
Gerald Durrell es, posiblemente, uno de los hombres que más ha hecho por la conservación de la vida salvaje, en gran parte gracias a la creación del zoo de Jersey, que logró cambiar la filosofía de los zoos de cárceles de animales de hormigón y hierro a centros de cría en cautividad y conservación de especies amenazadas cuyo fin último es el traslado al medio natural. Se que más de uno enarcará una ceja, me mirará escéptico, o directamente se descojonará en mi cara y me llamará, yo que se, ingenuo, ignorante, aliado de los asesinos, amigo de los circos... ¿hijo de puta? Y vale, me parece bien, pero cuando la peña encuentre una forma de conseguir que el ser humano deje de comportarse como un mono con dos lanzallamas en zonas donde solo quedan 100 o menos individuos de una especie, por favor, que no deje de informarme. Como decía, Durrell consiguió hacer que una generación entera se preocupara por el bienestar animal en zoos como en su hábitat natural, y lo hizo gracias tanto a su labor como zoólogo conservacionista como a su trabajo como presentador, divulgador científico y autor de libros de viajes, en los que relataba sus expediciones por lugares exóticos en busca de animales amenazados. Gerald Durrell era el Felix Rodríguez de la Fuente; mejor dicho, Felix Rodríguez de la Fuente era el Gerald Durrell español.
En este libro, en concreto, Durrell nos narra su viaje a las islas Mauricio en la década de los 70 , un archipiélago ubicado al este de Madagascar, en pleno océano Indico, hogar del extinto dodo, un pájaro grande y gordo pariente de la paloma que, para su desgracia, ni volaba ni sabia cómo de simpáticos podemos llegar a ser los seres humanos. Las Islas Mauricio, gracias a su aislamiento, estaban pobladas -y aun están, aunque en números muy exiguos- por una fauna y flora endémica imposible de encontrar en ningún otro lugar. La intención de Durrell como conservador en aquel viaje era el de encontrar y atrapar palomas rosas, que en aquel entonces solo había unas 30, zorros voladores y una buena cantidad de lagartos endémicos. Todos estos animales estaban, y están a día de hoy, increíblemente amenazados, tanto por su condición de endemismos como por la destrucción de su hábitat y la introducción de especies invasoras. Por suerte, y sorprendentemente, las labores de conservación que Durrell nos cuenta dieron sus frutos, hasta el punto de que estas especies no solo no se han extinguido, sino que se recuperan de forma satisfactoria. Como dato, la población de palomas rosas actualmente asciende a casi a los 500 individuos; son pocos, si, pero hay que recordar que en los 70 solo quedaban 30.
El libro es muy divertido, cuenta con muchas anécdotas simpáticas y se nota en la descripción de cada animal la pasión que el bueno de Gerry sentía por su trabajo. Si uno ha tenido experiencia como biólogo de campo, estoy seguro de que más de una de las situaciones que aparecen en el libro le sonaran por experiencia personal, y es que intentar atrapar a una lagartija en papel parece fácil, pero puede llegar a ser una verdadera odisea. El factor diversión y divulgativo, por tanto, no es el problema del libro, ¿cual es, entonces? Su falta de profundidad en el proyecto de conservación. Este libro gustará más o menos dependiendo de lo que uno espere encontrar, en mi caso no buscaba tanto un relato de la fauna y flora de Mauricio, más que nada porque ya la conocía y, desgraciadamente, no es tan atractiva como la de otras islas como Nueva Zelanda -soy mas ornitólogo que herpetólogo, lo siento-, sino que me interesaba más saber como se llevó a cabo el proyecto de cría en cautiverio e in situ de especies tan amenazadas, y esto último se despacha en unos cuantos párrafos.
Lo bueno es que el contenido del libro es fantástico, perfecto para cualquier amante de los animales y especialmente recomendable para adolescentes que empiecen a descubrir su pasión como naturalistas. Tanto este libro como el resto de libros de viajes del autor cumplen perfectamente su cometido de enseñar y divertir. Muy recomendables.
Gerald Durrell es, posiblemente, uno de los hombres que más ha hecho por la conservación de la vida salvaje, en gran parte gracias a la creación del zoo de Jersey, que logró cambiar la filosofía de los zoos de cárceles de animales de hormigón y hierro a centros de cría en cautividad y conservación de especies amenazadas cuyo fin último es el traslado al medio natural. Se que más de uno enarcará una ceja, me mirará escéptico, o directamente se descojonará en mi cara y me llamará, yo que se, ingenuo, ignorante, aliado de los asesinos, amigo de los circos... ¿hijo de puta? Y vale, me parece bien, pero cuando la peña encuentre una forma de conseguir que el ser humano deje de comportarse como un mono con dos lanzallamas en zonas donde solo quedan 100 o menos individuos de una especie, por favor, que no deje de informarme. Como decía, Durrell consiguió hacer que una generación entera se preocupara por el bienestar animal en zoos como en su hábitat natural, y lo hizo gracias tanto a su labor como zoólogo conservacionista como a su trabajo como presentador, divulgador científico y autor de libros de viajes, en los que relataba sus expediciones por lugares exóticos en busca de animales amenazados. Gerald Durrell era el Felix Rodríguez de la Fuente; mejor dicho, Felix Rodríguez de la Fuente era el Gerald Durrell español.
En este libro, en concreto, Durrell nos narra su viaje a las islas Mauricio en la década de los 70 , un archipiélago ubicado al este de Madagascar, en pleno océano Indico, hogar del extinto dodo, un pájaro grande y gordo pariente de la paloma que, para su desgracia, ni volaba ni sabia cómo de simpáticos podemos llegar a ser los seres humanos. Las Islas Mauricio, gracias a su aislamiento, estaban pobladas -y aun están, aunque en números muy exiguos- por una fauna y flora endémica imposible de encontrar en ningún otro lugar. La intención de Durrell como conservador en aquel viaje era el de encontrar y atrapar palomas rosas, que en aquel entonces solo había unas 30, zorros voladores y una buena cantidad de lagartos endémicos. Todos estos animales estaban, y están a día de hoy, increíblemente amenazados, tanto por su condición de endemismos como por la destrucción de su hábitat y la introducción de especies invasoras. Por suerte, y sorprendentemente, las labores de conservación que Durrell nos cuenta dieron sus frutos, hasta el punto de que estas especies no solo no se han extinguido, sino que se recuperan de forma satisfactoria. Como dato, la población de palomas rosas actualmente asciende a casi a los 500 individuos; son pocos, si, pero hay que recordar que en los 70 solo quedaban 30.
El libro es muy divertido, cuenta con muchas anécdotas simpáticas y se nota en la descripción de cada animal la pasión que el bueno de Gerry sentía por su trabajo. Si uno ha tenido experiencia como biólogo de campo, estoy seguro de que más de una de las situaciones que aparecen en el libro le sonaran por experiencia personal, y es que intentar atrapar a una lagartija en papel parece fácil, pero puede llegar a ser una verdadera odisea. El factor diversión y divulgativo, por tanto, no es el problema del libro, ¿cual es, entonces? Su falta de profundidad en el proyecto de conservación. Este libro gustará más o menos dependiendo de lo que uno espere encontrar, en mi caso no buscaba tanto un relato de la fauna y flora de Mauricio, más que nada porque ya la conocía y, desgraciadamente, no es tan atractiva como la de otras islas como Nueva Zelanda -soy mas ornitólogo que herpetólogo, lo siento-, sino que me interesaba más saber como se llevó a cabo el proyecto de cría en cautiverio e in situ de especies tan amenazadas, y esto último se despacha en unos cuantos párrafos.
Lo bueno es que el contenido del libro es fantástico, perfecto para cualquier amante de los animales y especialmente recomendable para adolescentes que empiecen a descubrir su pasión como naturalistas. Tanto este libro como el resto de libros de viajes del autor cumplen perfectamente su cometido de enseñar y divertir. Muy recomendables.
March 12, 2015
This is a fun read, as it details the explorations and adventures of Durrell while collecting birds, bats and reptiles on the island of Mauritius and a neighbour in the island chain called Round Island. However there is always gloom and desperation as we see that man's discovery of the islands has destroyed so many creatures and so much habitat.
Not alone do we get a detailed account of past ships' logs in which thousands of tortoises and turtles at a time were loaded - for food - but we see that when Durrell visited, some local fishermen were making a living from dynamiting coral reefs to sell fragments to tourists with cowrie and cone shells. Rabbits had been introduced which had eaten away everything that held the soil together so erosion was ruining Round Island, while introduced rats and monkeys were destroying pigeon nests on Mauritius.
The efforts made to catch threatened creatures in order to establish a separate breeding colony off the islands, was sadly necessary and the British establishment was seeing that it was done. The pink pigeons were reduced to fifty-five and golden fruit bats to about 120. The hardships endured by the little team included intense sun, monsoon type rain, bites, falls, jungle hikes, mosquitoes and amoebic dysentery, which I imagine was caused by being daft enough to finish a few sandwiches after giant snails and a rat had been feasting on them.
One item surprised me. The dodo tree is the nickname of the tambalocoque tree which is found only on Mauritius. The specimens found at this time were all old trees and no new trees were sprouting from the nuts. The naturalist based on the islands had the idea that the nuts were eaten by dodos, which could digest their hard shell, and the rest of the seed passed through the bird and germinated. This would explain why no seedlings had grown since the dodos were lost. Durrell amazingly said "It's a lovely story but I'm afraid it's got more holes in it than a colander."
Not only is this an obvious cause and effect theory, but as a practical naturalist all his life he ought to have known better than to scoff at an ecological chain. I was waiting for the happier line at the end of the book, but there wasn't one. So it must have been after the publication in 1977, that naturalists had the idea of feeding the seeds to turkeys, which have a similar digestive system to dodos. The nuts germinated and there are now young - probably all stages of growth by this time - tambalacoque trees.
Not alone do we get a detailed account of past ships' logs in which thousands of tortoises and turtles at a time were loaded - for food - but we see that when Durrell visited, some local fishermen were making a living from dynamiting coral reefs to sell fragments to tourists with cowrie and cone shells. Rabbits had been introduced which had eaten away everything that held the soil together so erosion was ruining Round Island, while introduced rats and monkeys were destroying pigeon nests on Mauritius.
The efforts made to catch threatened creatures in order to establish a separate breeding colony off the islands, was sadly necessary and the British establishment was seeing that it was done. The pink pigeons were reduced to fifty-five and golden fruit bats to about 120. The hardships endured by the little team included intense sun, monsoon type rain, bites, falls, jungle hikes, mosquitoes and amoebic dysentery, which I imagine was caused by being daft enough to finish a few sandwiches after giant snails and a rat had been feasting on them.
One item surprised me. The dodo tree is the nickname of the tambalocoque tree which is found only on Mauritius. The specimens found at this time were all old trees and no new trees were sprouting from the nuts. The naturalist based on the islands had the idea that the nuts were eaten by dodos, which could digest their hard shell, and the rest of the seed passed through the bird and germinated. This would explain why no seedlings had grown since the dodos were lost. Durrell amazingly said "It's a lovely story but I'm afraid it's got more holes in it than a colander."
Not only is this an obvious cause and effect theory, but as a practical naturalist all his life he ought to have known better than to scoff at an ecological chain. I was waiting for the happier line at the end of the book, but there wasn't one. So it must have been after the publication in 1977, that naturalists had the idea of feeding the seeds to turkeys, which have a similar digestive system to dodos. The nuts germinated and there are now young - probably all stages of growth by this time - tambalacoque trees.
February 1, 2017
As this is one of Durrell's later books, written after his Jersey conservation zoo was established, you can see the difference in tone. The earliest books tend to be light-hearted, descriptively humorous and (one suspects) slightly exaggerated for comedic effect, while the later books still maintain the wonderful descriptions of people and animals but with much more serious undertones and the emphasis on educating - rather than entertaining - the reader, as evidenced by the subtitle: A Journey to the Flora and Fauna of a Unique Island. You're still presented with poetic descriptions that capture all your senses, strange characters of all nationalities acting as local guides, and that dry wit, but it also includes some historic narrative from previous explorers and some warnings about animal endangerment and the importance of maintaining their environments.
In the 1970s, Durrell travelled to Mauritius (multiple times) with his assistant and secretary to collect sufficient individuals from colonies of several endangered species unique to the islands, to start (or maintain) captive breeding programs. Some of them were down to just a handful of individuals, and amongst them were golden fruit bats, pink pigeons, boas, several types of skink, and guntheri geckos. I've never had such a desire to go snorkelling as after reading his chapter on the various reefs in the area... I wonder if those magnificent and so varied places are still there.
Naturally there were some problems with the landscape (the Olympic slide), capturing/feeding the animals (the local equivalent of durian), the local climate and even transportation (how do you prioritize essential clothing, fruit and boxes when the plane can't carry everything?) but somehow creative solutions were discovered.
Spoiler: There's a postscript with good news about the Pink Pigeon breeding program.
I should also note that the family photographs, while wonderful, are the same ones as in the new edition of Three Singles to Adventure, so if you're reading both, don't get your hopes up!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In the 1970s, Durrell travelled to Mauritius (multiple times) with his assistant and secretary to collect sufficient individuals from colonies of several endangered species unique to the islands, to start (or maintain) captive breeding programs. Some of them were down to just a handful of individuals, and amongst them were golden fruit bats, pink pigeons, boas, several types of skink, and guntheri geckos. I've never had such a desire to go snorkelling as after reading his chapter on the various reefs in the area... I wonder if those magnificent and so varied places are still there.
Naturally there were some problems with the landscape (the Olympic slide), capturing/feeding the animals (the local equivalent of durian), the local climate and even transportation (how do you prioritize essential clothing, fruit and boxes when the plane can't carry everything?) but somehow creative solutions were discovered.
Spoiler: There's a postscript with good news about the Pink Pigeon breeding program.
I should also note that the family photographs, while wonderful, are the same ones as in the new edition of Three Singles to Adventure, so if you're reading both, don't get your hopes up!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2022
ENGLISH: This is the second time I've read this book, which deals with Durrell's travel to the islands of Mauricius and Rodrigues. In this second reading I've liked this book better than the first, 38 years ago. Perhaps when I read it first time I was somewhat saturated by Durrell's books.
The title indicates the species in danger of extinction that Durrell tried to save during this trip by transporting a few individuals to his zoo at the island of Jersey, to establish breeding colonies. He describes in detail, with his usual engaging style, the problems he found to capture the golden bats of Rodrigues and the pink pigeons of Mauricius, as well as the lizards and boas of the Round Island, a crag nearby Mauricius which is not round where snakes live, while the nearby Ile aux Serpents is round and no snakes.
ESPAÑOL: Esta es la segunda vez que leo este libro, que trata sobre el viaje de Durrell a las islas de Mauricio y Rodríguez. Esta segunda lectura me ha gustado más que la primera, hace 38 años. Quizá cuando lo leí por primera vez yo estaba saturado por los libros de Durrell.
El título indica las especies en peligro de extinción que Durrell trató de salvar durante este viaje, transportando algunos individuos a su zoológico en la isla de Jersey para establecer colonias de cría. Con su habitual y atractivo estilo, describe con detalle los problemas que encontró para capturar los murciélagos dorados de Rodríguez y las palomas rosadas de Mauricio, así como los lagartos y las boas de la Isla Redonda, un peñasco próximo a Mauricio que no es redondo y en el que viven serpientes, mientras que la cercana Île aux Serpents es redonda y en ella no hay serpientes.
The title indicates the species in danger of extinction that Durrell tried to save during this trip by transporting a few individuals to his zoo at the island of Jersey, to establish breeding colonies. He describes in detail, with his usual engaging style, the problems he found to capture the golden bats of Rodrigues and the pink pigeons of Mauricius, as well as the lizards and boas of the Round Island, a crag nearby Mauricius which is not round where snakes live, while the nearby Ile aux Serpents is round and no snakes.
ESPAÑOL: Esta es la segunda vez que leo este libro, que trata sobre el viaje de Durrell a las islas de Mauricio y Rodríguez. Esta segunda lectura me ha gustado más que la primera, hace 38 años. Quizá cuando lo leí por primera vez yo estaba saturado por los libros de Durrell.
El título indica las especies en peligro de extinción que Durrell trató de salvar durante este viaje, transportando algunos individuos a su zoológico en la isla de Jersey para establecer colonias de cría. Con su habitual y atractivo estilo, describe con detalle los problemas que encontró para capturar los murciélagos dorados de Rodríguez y las palomas rosadas de Mauricio, así como los lagartos y las boas de la Isla Redonda, un peñasco próximo a Mauricio que no es redondo y en el que viven serpientes, mientras que la cercana Île aux Serpents es redonda y en ella no hay serpientes.
February 7, 2017
Daydreaming Of The Adventures I really enjoy Durrell's books. Both for the adventures and the education he provides. This one was short, a very quick read. Written later in his life, it concentrates a bit more on the conservation aspects than his earlier works. I have to wonder what it would have been like to have accompanied him on his adventures. Just the thought will provide me with many hours of daydreaming!
April 2, 2022
Vcelku zajimave ale ten hlas byl takovy umumlany. Libila se mi asi nejvic kapitola 4 Zlati kolonove a 5. Koralovy utes. Ekologove, zoologove a dalsi - ove mezi nami mohou klidne pridat hvezdicku navic.
March 6, 2025
I didn't think I would be reading conservation books but I ended up laughing multiple times during this one (and visiting the region and thus being able to imagine what the animals described looked like helped a lot).
November 8, 2017
Looking forward to reading many more books by this man.
October 17, 2022
3.5 stars
A solid Durrell collecting memoir with the usual funny and transcendent moments. I would have liked more anecdotes about the individual animals and their behavior though.
A solid Durrell collecting memoir with the usual funny and transcendent moments. I would have liked more anecdotes about the individual animals and their behavior though.
May 23, 2017
I'm giving this three stars, mainly because of how incredibly picky I am when it comes to editing and why reading e-ARCs is maybe not the best choice for me. (I received this for free in exchange for an honest review.)
The editing, in the beginning, wasn't so bad. But by the last couple of chapters, it became difficult for me to concentrate because of lack of punctuation, and poor transitions from chapter-to-chapter or section-to-section. I also was somewhat confused because I guess I misunderstood the premise of this book; I believed it to have taken place all in one trip, but this was not so. I think there should've been more clarity on that front from the beginning, and, perhaps, the chapters organized in a more logical way.
However, all said, this book was genuinely funny and also, somehow, simultaneously authentically heartfelt. The conservation theme that runs throughout is one that interests me (obviously, to those who know me in real life) and that I hold close to my heart. But also, the descriptions were, at times, laugh-out-loud funny, and painted pictures in my mind, which I love with any type of nature writing or travel memoir (and this was both of those things!). I'd definitely recommend to any interested party, because content-wise, this is a four-star read.
Too bad I'm a nitpicky ninny. (insert shrug emoji here)
The editing, in the beginning, wasn't so bad. But by the last couple of chapters, it became difficult for me to concentrate because of lack of punctuation, and poor transitions from chapter-to-chapter or section-to-section. I also was somewhat confused because I guess I misunderstood the premise of this book; I believed it to have taken place all in one trip, but this was not so. I think there should've been more clarity on that front from the beginning, and, perhaps, the chapters organized in a more logical way.
However, all said, this book was genuinely funny and also, somehow, simultaneously authentically heartfelt. The conservation theme that runs throughout is one that interests me (obviously, to those who know me in real life) and that I hold close to my heart. But also, the descriptions were, at times, laugh-out-loud funny, and painted pictures in my mind, which I love with any type of nature writing or travel memoir (and this was both of those things!). I'd definitely recommend to any interested party, because content-wise, this is a four-star read.
Too bad I'm a nitpicky ninny. (insert shrug emoji here)
March 24, 2022
#BeatTheBacklist2022 - reading for research,reference or general interest
Now, it is hard not to be acutely aware of the devastating impact humans are wreaking on the planet. Whether through wilfulness or ignorance it makes it no less shameful. But it’s one thing to know and another to act. Durrell was a pioneer in this respect, recognising long ago that things had to change if we were to preserve species. His lifelong dedication to this quest is beyond admirable. As is his ability to recount his stories, so that we can get a greater appreciation of what was involved in his globe trotting missions. He does this not in a desk thumping, agitatedly demanding way but with obvious love, single-minded determination and humour, which makes his argument more powerfully persuasive. His descriptive writing is captivating, especially so in The Enchanted World chapter. It is also heartwarming to learn that the imperative rescue work he undertook in Mauritius and retold here has been both rewarded and recognised - [Wikipedia] the pink pigeon was on the brink of extinction in 1991 when only 10 individuals remained, but its numbers have increased due to the efforts of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust since 1977
Now, it is hard not to be acutely aware of the devastating impact humans are wreaking on the planet. Whether through wilfulness or ignorance it makes it no less shameful. But it’s one thing to know and another to act. Durrell was a pioneer in this respect, recognising long ago that things had to change if we were to preserve species. His lifelong dedication to this quest is beyond admirable. As is his ability to recount his stories, so that we can get a greater appreciation of what was involved in his globe trotting missions. He does this not in a desk thumping, agitatedly demanding way but with obvious love, single-minded determination and humour, which makes his argument more powerfully persuasive. His descriptive writing is captivating, especially so in The Enchanted World chapter. It is also heartwarming to learn that the imperative rescue work he undertook in Mauritius and retold here has been both rewarded and recognised - [Wikipedia] the pink pigeon was on the brink of extinction in 1991 when only 10 individuals remained, but its numbers have increased due to the efforts of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust since 1977
January 9, 2017
There is something so delicious and fascinating about reading Gerald Durrell’s books – they are full of humor and I relish that and they also take you to places that, frankly, I’ll never go, finding it pleasing where I am here on the coast of Maine.
In GOLDEN BATS AND PINK PIGEONS, Gerald Durrell takes us to Mauritius – don’t know where that is? Visualize the map of Africa that one of your teachers might have pulled down in front of one of your long ago classrooms. See that island off the right hand side? That’s Madagascar – and Mauritius is off to the right of that.
And it seems as if it might be a tropical paradise! Not so Round Island that he also visits that is off Mauritius, an eroded volcanic cone that presents all kinds of problems trying to catch various reptiles along with a good bit of comedy, for Durrell knows how to laugh at himself and is adept at it.
Of course you also meet weird and strange creatures you may have never known existed – so Join Durrell and his friends as he sets off on yet another fascinating adventure to capture creatures to breed at his breeding zoo before they disappear from our Earth.
In GOLDEN BATS AND PINK PIGEONS, Gerald Durrell takes us to Mauritius – don’t know where that is? Visualize the map of Africa that one of your teachers might have pulled down in front of one of your long ago classrooms. See that island off the right hand side? That’s Madagascar – and Mauritius is off to the right of that.
And it seems as if it might be a tropical paradise! Not so Round Island that he also visits that is off Mauritius, an eroded volcanic cone that presents all kinds of problems trying to catch various reptiles along with a good bit of comedy, for Durrell knows how to laugh at himself and is adept at it.
Of course you also meet weird and strange creatures you may have never known existed – so Join Durrell and his friends as he sets off on yet another fascinating adventure to capture creatures to breed at his breeding zoo before they disappear from our Earth.
October 31, 2013
This is the story of a scientific mission to Mauritius to collect endangered animals for a captive breeding project. The writing style is accessible and humorous and I learned something about Mauritius which I had never read about before. Published in 1977, however, the book seemed dated. I kept wondering what the current state of the species is and whether the captive breeding program was successful. A thorough epilogue would have been a great addition to newer editions of the book.
Currently reading
November 8, 2010quite funny.. enjoyed it so far!
October 24, 2023
Книгата ми хареса. Имаше приключение и като цяло всичко, което искаш от книга.
Currently reading
March 19, 2011awww..as always durell types writing
July 11, 2018
PBS viewers have been introduced to the Durrell family by the series on their time in Corfu. Gerald was the youngest child and his distinguishing characteristic was his love of animals, a love that was indulged by his mother in a way few children experience. This was a love that formed his life and work.
Golden Bats And Pink Pigeons is about Durrell's time on the island of Mauritius in the 1970's. It was the home of the dodo, the most famous example of extinction, and still at that time was home to many animals, reptiles and birds found nowhere else on earth. Durrell's focus as an adult was not just on exploring and finding such animals, but on his work as a biologist who ran a refuge in Jersey where endangered animals could be brought to breed in captivity until their numbers were such that they could be reintroduced to their native habitat. This work is ongoing after Durrell's death.
In this work, there are chapters devoted to the various animals he and his crew captured to rescue in their four months in the area. There is a chapter about the pink pigeons, one about various lizards and skinks they captured and another about bats. There is a luminous chapter about the coral reefs surrounding the island and all the never-before seen fish and other inhabitants of it. There is a chapter about the capture of boas. All of this work occurred in uncomfortable if not dangerous environments and Durrell's time there left him weakened and ill.
Readers will be enthralled with his adventures and his humorous method of making light of misfortunes and hard work. Durrell's delight in everything he saw and his passionate determination to rescue species on the verge of extinction shines through on every page. This book is recommended for readers of nonfiction who enjoy travel books and those interested in the environment.
Golden Bats And Pink Pigeons is about Durrell's time on the island of Mauritius in the 1970's. It was the home of the dodo, the most famous example of extinction, and still at that time was home to many animals, reptiles and birds found nowhere else on earth. Durrell's focus as an adult was not just on exploring and finding such animals, but on his work as a biologist who ran a refuge in Jersey where endangered animals could be brought to breed in captivity until their numbers were such that they could be reintroduced to their native habitat. This work is ongoing after Durrell's death.
In this work, there are chapters devoted to the various animals he and his crew captured to rescue in their four months in the area. There is a chapter about the pink pigeons, one about various lizards and skinks they captured and another about bats. There is a luminous chapter about the coral reefs surrounding the island and all the never-before seen fish and other inhabitants of it. There is a chapter about the capture of boas. All of this work occurred in uncomfortable if not dangerous environments and Durrell's time there left him weakened and ill.
Readers will be enthralled with his adventures and his humorous method of making light of misfortunes and hard work. Durrell's delight in everything he saw and his passionate determination to rescue species on the verge of extinction shines through on every page. This book is recommended for readers of nonfiction who enjoy travel books and those interested in the environment.
May 24, 2020
Gerald Durrell was a force to be reckoned with in wildlife conservation, and Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons is his account of a trip to Mauritius and surrounding islands to capture enough critically endangered species to take back to his zoo on the island of Jersey to begin successful breeding programs. It's a wonderful book that was too short.
Durrell tells of his preparations and of trying to get all the supplies and everyone in his group in and out of boats and onto tricky landing spots in remote areas. A great deal of thought went into how they would trap the birds, bats, and reptiles so that they would not be injured as well as how the animals would be housed until they were ready to depart for Jersey. Each species required a specific number of animals for a chance at a successful breeding program, and Durrell and his group did not take any more than they needed. (There are records from the 1700s of ships leaving these islands with thousands of turtles and other creatures on board, at least half of which would die before they reached their destinations.)
Hunting the animals was fascinating reading which often made me laugh out loud as Durrell described travel with Jak fruit and being in a hut during a torrential downpour with land slugs and a nervous rat.
In addition to the laughter, it's the beauty of Mauritius that I will remember, especially Durrell breakfasting with birds out on a terrace and his incredible descriptions of marine life when he went snorkeling. If you love wildlife, this is a book you must read.
Durrell tells of his preparations and of trying to get all the supplies and everyone in his group in and out of boats and onto tricky landing spots in remote areas. A great deal of thought went into how they would trap the birds, bats, and reptiles so that they would not be injured as well as how the animals would be housed until they were ready to depart for Jersey. Each species required a specific number of animals for a chance at a successful breeding program, and Durrell and his group did not take any more than they needed. (There are records from the 1700s of ships leaving these islands with thousands of turtles and other creatures on board, at least half of which would die before they reached their destinations.)
Hunting the animals was fascinating reading which often made me laugh out loud as Durrell described travel with Jak fruit and being in a hut during a torrential downpour with land slugs and a nervous rat.
In addition to the laughter, it's the beauty of Mauritius that I will remember, especially Durrell breakfasting with birds out on a terrace and his incredible descriptions of marine life when he went snorkeling. If you love wildlife, this is a book you must read.
April 29, 2021
Gerald Durrell and a couple assistants made two trips to the island of Mauritius in the early 1970s to help that country set up a captive breeding program to help save some of its endangered animals. In Mauritius, this was largely bats, lizards, snakes and the pink pigeon. But as with other travelogues by Durrell, this one is replete with his usual witty observations, hilarious stories and a good dose of his own awe at God’s creation. Of course, he doesn’t see it as God’s creation - it’s all stuff that rose from the primordial goo, as it were, to him - but no matter. Those of us who know the God who made all things can give tribute to Him for these marvelous works where Durrell does not. Durrell is a raconteur at heart and I’ve never been disappointed by his story telling and the way he invites us to participate in the wonders of the animal world wherever he goes. He seems to attract eccentric characters and relishes describing them. His trips to Round Island were particularly interesting and you find yourself quite invested in their group finding creatures that you had never heard of nor cared about before. The telling of his sliding down a rock face on his bare back only able to stop himself by jamming his elbows into the rock made me gasp out loud. Of course he couldn’t use his hands, because he held a bag of precious lizards in each hand and didn’t want to harm them, which was very heroic of him. I also loved the story of them getting stopped by customs on a tiny island where the customs official was completely baffled by Durrell’s assistant’s stated occupation of “herpetologist.” It took some time for them to be able to explain what it was. Once he’d grasped the concept, they then had to explain why a herpetologist would be on that island to catch bats, not snakes and lizards. Durrell sees the humor in everything and writes these stories so well. I put some quotes from the book in the comments below.
December 28, 2024
My second adventure with Mr Durrell this year, a tad shorter than the first one but just as full of fun and learning. Golden Bats & Pink Pigeons narrates the author's trip to Mauritius in 1970s to collect some endangered species for captive breeding and the challenges associated with the same. In addition to the eponymous bats and pigeons, the book details his experiences catching a variety of endemic geckos and boas on Round Island, and discovering the biodiversity of Mauritius island's then pristine coral reefs.
While humans have almost single-handedly been responsible for the extinction of countless species in the last few centuries, it is very heartening to read about wildlife conservationists such as Mr Durrell who go to such great lengths to document and save whatever they can. Their passion and fearlessness are infectious, so much so that I want to sign up and tag along on one of their trips. This despite being the city boy I am who's scared of all other animals and insects and likes to maintain an arm's distance wherever possible. Not sure if this is hypocrisy on my part or wishful thinking, but I wish I was raised to be more aware about and comfortable with the natural world.
People like Mr Durrell and their stories will always continue to inspire, but they reach fewer people than one would hope. The onus now lies on the education system (and scared parents) to raise fearless and compassionate children who are curious and care about their fellow beings.
While humans have almost single-handedly been responsible for the extinction of countless species in the last few centuries, it is very heartening to read about wildlife conservationists such as Mr Durrell who go to such great lengths to document and save whatever they can. Their passion and fearlessness are infectious, so much so that I want to sign up and tag along on one of their trips. This despite being the city boy I am who's scared of all other animals and insects and likes to maintain an arm's distance wherever possible. Not sure if this is hypocrisy on my part or wishful thinking, but I wish I was raised to be more aware about and comfortable with the natural world.
People like Mr Durrell and their stories will always continue to inspire, but they reach fewer people than one would hope. The onus now lies on the education system (and scared parents) to raise fearless and compassionate children who are curious and care about their fellow beings.
March 16, 2024
Another of Gerald Durrell's adventures in collecting rare animals from around the world in hopes of preserving the species and improving general knowledge about them. In this book he details two excursions to Mauritius, the eastern-most African country, being even farther east than Madagascar. He went to capture golden bats and pink pigeons which had only a few dozen individuals left, as well as some species of lizard and snakes from uninhabitable Round Island which -- at the time of the writing - was being destroyed by erosion brought on by rabbits which had eaten almost all the plant life after being introduced to the island. I found the description of Durrell's snorkeling excursions along the coral reef as fascinating as anything else, although I wish I knew more about sea life so that I had a better mental picture of the creatures he spoke of encountering. As a low-level government bureaucrat myself, I got a real kick out of the description of the immigration and customs official on Rodrigues Island and his need for official forms to be officially completed in a most official manner. It is part of the shameful legacy of the White Man that we have inflicted such stupidity on other countries which have more important things to worry about, like basic survival. All in all, an enjoyable read.
August 11, 2023
A welcome return to form from my perspective after reading the (of course much later) How to Shoot an Amateur Naturalist - this book has everything the other one lacks, a vivid sense of place, a coherent narrative, and lively (rather than simply tiresome) characters. I can't help wondering how much Madagascar has changed since the 1970s, but it's good news to learn that the conservation efforts documented in this book did actually succeed in pulling the species in question back from extinction.
The 'extra' section at the end of the book where they have to come back for another attempt a year later is a bit jarring, as with Thor Heyerdahl's The Ra Expeditions, but that's the trouble with real life; it doesn't always follow a neat narrative arc!
Maybe not one of Durrell's absolute classic books, but it is one I had never encountered, and I found it very good.
The 'extra' section at the end of the book where they have to come back for another attempt a year later is a bit jarring, as with Thor Heyerdahl's The Ra Expeditions, but that's the trouble with real life; it doesn't always follow a neat narrative arc!
Maybe not one of Durrell's absolute classic books, but it is one I had never encountered, and I found it very good.
October 29, 2019
Yet another charming and inspiring narrative from Durrell! This time he took us all on a trip to Mauritius and the neighbouring islands such as Round island etc.
This book is certainly a special one as in it lies the travelogue of the expedition that saved the Pink pigeon amongst other endangered species from extinction. Durrell took it upon himself to start up breeding programmes in his Jersey Zoo for such species; most of which have been a great success
Along with their adventure to gather Pink pigeons, Gunther's geckos, Bojeri and Telfair's skinks as well as the rare Round Island boa, Gerry narrates his episode out seeing the magnificent coral reefs in Mauritius. If there's one thing I learned from this chronicle, it's that at least once in my lifetime, I simply must visit a coral reef!!
P.s Hands down the funniest Jackfruit description I will ever read:"an obscene green fruit, covered with knobs and looking rather like the corpse of a Martian baby"
This book is certainly a special one as in it lies the travelogue of the expedition that saved the Pink pigeon amongst other endangered species from extinction. Durrell took it upon himself to start up breeding programmes in his Jersey Zoo for such species; most of which have been a great success
Along with their adventure to gather Pink pigeons, Gunther's geckos, Bojeri and Telfair's skinks as well as the rare Round Island boa, Gerry narrates his episode out seeing the magnificent coral reefs in Mauritius. If there's one thing I learned from this chronicle, it's that at least once in my lifetime, I simply must visit a coral reef!!
P.s Hands down the funniest Jackfruit description I will ever read:"an obscene green fruit, covered with knobs and looking rather like the corpse of a Martian baby"
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